GBM Foreign Language Competency Requirement Information

Foreign Language Competency

Requirement
All GBM students must demonstrate advanced proficiency in a foreign language as part
of their GBM graduation requirements. This proficiency can be demonstrated in one
of the following ways:

Passing the Berlitz foreign language exam at proficiency level of "6" or better. This
tests all four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Submitting a birth certificate or passport from the foreign country and either a high
school diploma or college diploma from a country that speaks the foreign language
for which the student is trying to demonstrate proficiency. All documents must be
translated into English by a certified translator or company and signed by the translator
or company as such or verified by an on-campus, full-time instructor that the documents
are what they are presented to be and signed by that instructor on CSUSM letterhead
stationery.

Reason for an Advanced Proficiency Level
Although much of the world conducts business in English, being able to communicate
fluently in a foreign language significantly enhances your ability to be effective
in international business. An advanced level means that a number of sources of information
are available to you that otherwise would not be. This includes both written sources
and people such as organizational personnel, citizens, and many others. Speaking a
foreign language enhances your image among those people and gives you a competitive
advantage as an individual. Most programs only require a certain number of credits
in the foreign language. There is a false assumption that a certain number of credits
equal fluency. One of the distinctive aspects about our program is that our students
ARE fluent and can conduct business in that language immediately. This increases your
marketability.
Berlitz Language Center Information
Berlitz is the most widely accepted foreign language learning and testing institute
in the world. It is because of its reputation and standardized testing procedures
that we use Berlitz. Although subject to change, cost of the exam for common languages
is $175 and for less common languages, the cost can be up to $200. You will need to
make an appointment with the Center in San Diego when you are ready to take this test.
See their contact information to the right.

Preparation for the Language Competency Exam
There are a number of ways to prepare for the exam:

Individual study and/or tutoring.

Take foreign language courses where they are available.

Study abroad programs (IP) and/or doing GBM 497 in the foreign country where that
language is spoken.

For Spanish speakers, we currently have the Berlitz book and tapes that correspond
to proficiency levels 5-8 (remember that “6” is the required passing level). This
is available in CSUSM’s Language Learning Center in University Hall 240. You are highly
encouraged to review these materials for the Spanish-speaking exam to help you determine
your readiness. In the future, we hope to be able to purchase other language materials
for those languages that represent the most common among our GBM students.